Can Raducanu bridge gap to world’s best Sabalenka?

Don’t get carried away at this moment.

Emma Raducanu defeated 2023 champion Marketa Vondrousova on Wednesday, giving one of her best performances in “in a long time.”

However, the British number one’s on Friday will likely need an even better display to support that victory in order to advance to the last 16.

Aryna Sabalenka, the undisputed top-stakes female singles champion, is in her way.

Raducanu has made significant progress making it back to the top 40 this year, but the evidence points to a gap between the 22-year-old and the industry’s leading figures.

Iga Swiatek-Radovicu, the five-time major champion, had to give up both of her Grand Slam appearances this year, which ended in ruthlessly with her. She lost both games at the Australian Open and the French Open, both of which were humiliating.

On the clay in Rome, Coco Gauff, who later won the Roland Garros title, also showed Raducanu’s level of preparation to be insufficient.

Finding the best way to test the best is what Raducanu is facing.

“I believe I require more weapons,” she said. Before facing Sabalenka, the 2021 US Open champion, told BBC Sport, “I think I need to hit the ball with better quality more frequently.”

“I believe I should serve better,” he said. I believe I need to move more quickly. There are many things I need to improve.

It was obviously a really positive experience and a really good marker to be up against a top player like Marketa, who has won this tournament.

Over the past 18 months, Sabalenka has become the dominant player on the WTA Tour thanks to her powerful serve and her lightning-out baseline game.

She has reached at least the quarter-finals in each of her past ten Grand Slams, which demonstrates how blistering her shots are on any surface.

The faster courts at Wimbledon suit Sabalenka’s first-strike tennis, where she has reached the semi-finals on her most recent two appearances.

She uses her serve and return of serve to quickly surpass her opponents in the points race.

According to Wimbledon’s statistical insight tool, 39% of Sabalenka’s shots are attacking, compared to an average of 24% in the women’s draw.

She has just been so consistent and strong over the past few years, Raducanu, who qualified for the All England Club in 2021 and 2024.

“I just have to try to be as smart as possible and have control over my side,” he said.

“But I also need to take my chances if I have any because I can’t play passive against her.”

After being outshined by Swiatek and Gauff on clay and hard courts, Raducanu believes that the Wimbledon grass offers her best chance of pushing Sabalenka.

Raducanu has also looked to use her serve and forehand more aggressively since joining coach Mark Petchey earlier this year.

Additionally, the statistical analysis indicates that she is more aggressive than usual in the women’s draw, with TennisViz classifying 27% of her shots that way.

She is aware, however, that using craft is also necessary and that she cannot be “overly aggressive.”

The backhand will be crucial in removing Sabalenka’s groundstrokes’ pace.

Raducanu’s athleticism might also help her out in making more mistakes as a counter-puncher against Belarus.

Although Vondrousova doesn’t attack as frequently or with the same firepower as Sabalenka, Racanu’s defense against Vondrousova was outstanding, according to TennisViz’s Phil Newbury.

The slice might be the difference here. In her second round, Sabalenka’s “stealth score,” which measures how frequently a player wins a point when they are defending, was significantly below the draw average.

In contrast to other majors, Raducanu believes she has a better chance of defeating one of the leading players at Wimbledon.

Feeling at home helps her play with more freedom in addition to being comfortable on the grass.

The progress she has made this season is largely due to her having a close-knit, reliable group around her.

While taking a career break from her finance job, Jane O’Donoghue, a trusted ally who used to mentor her when she was a teenager, continues to support her.

After beating Vondrousova, Raducanu was spotted taking selfies with friends at Wimbledon and hanging out with them on the All England Club balcony.

Last year, I had the same kind of routine. She said, “I just really cherish these moments because we all know how difficult it is to play on the tour week in week out.”